Gypsophila plant named Festival

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of gypsophila plant named Festival, characterized by its semi-double flower form, light purple flower color; compact, full growth habit; floriferous habit, and its continuous flowering in Israel from April to December.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar of gypsophila plant, referred to by the cultivar name Festival.

The new cultivar was developed by the inventor in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel through controlled breeding by crossing male and female parents which are unknown at this time. Both parents were selected seedlings from the breeding of grandparents which are likewise unknown at this time. Both the parents and grandparents are proprietary lines used exclusively for breeding.

Asexual reproduction by cuttings taken by the inventor at Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in 1990 has shown that the unique features of this new gypsophila are stabilized and are reproduced true to type in successive propagations.

The following characteristics in combination distinguish the new gypsophila from other cultivated gypsophila of the type known and used in the floriculture industry:

1. Semi-double flower form.

2. Light purple flower color.

3. Flowers are carried on relatively long sturdy stems.

4. Floriferous habit, with many flowers being in bloom and bud at one time.

5. Relatively compact and full growth habit, making the plant very desirable for outdoor use in bedding areas and pots. The new cultivar is also adaptable to greenhouse pot production.

6. In Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, the new cultivar flowers continuously from approximately April through December.

7. Compared with other cultivars, Festival will respond to lower levels of light for flowering. Thus, under natural outdoor light conditions, Festival will flower earlier in the spring and very late in the fall or early winter.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of Festival, showing the colors as true as it reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The top photograph shows both foliage and flowers. The bottom photograph shows several flowers and buds at various stages of development. The true flower color is more accurately shown in the bottom photograph.

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar based on plants produced under commercial practice in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.) except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Parentage: Both male and female parents are unknown.

Propagation: By tip cuttings; rooting is excellent.

Plant description:

A. Form.--Compact, mounded.

B. Habit of growth.--Strong, plant is fully rounded and reaches 50 cm in maximum height (including flowers) at time of full and continuous flowering in spring and summer; diameter of plant varies substantially, depending on growing conditions. The diameter tends to increase under reduced light or short day conditions when shoot formation tends to increase. An increase in shoots tends to increase overall diameter at time of flowering. The new cultivar tends to produce approximately twelve (12) shoots.

The new plant is a perennial in Israel, where minimum average winter temperatures are approximately 10° C. Plants of Festival have survived freezing temperatures as low as -2° to -6° C.

C. Foliage.--1. Size: Wide range; full size leaves are approximately 7 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. 2. Shape: Linear. 3. Margin: Smooth. 4. Color: Top side: 147A-B. Underside: 137B-C.

Flowering description:

A. Natural flowering season.--In Israel under outdoor conditions, flowering starts in April and continues until December.

B. Flower buds.--Closed bud is oval, approximately 2 mm tall and 3 mm in width; just before opening (when color can be seen), bud is generally round, 3 mm in each direction.

C. Flowers Borne.--On relatively long, strong stems out of leaf whorl.

D. Quantity of flowers.--Very floriferous.

E. Petals.--1. Shape: Generally round. 2. Color: 75B, with natural fading upon maturity and conditions of high temperature and light intensity. 3. Number of petals: Approximately 20, and up to 25. 4. Size of flowers: 0.7 to 0.8 cm in total flower diameter.

F. Reproductive organs.--Flowers are monoecious. 1. Stamen: 3-5 anthers, very thin, approximately 0.2 to 0.3 mm in diameter and 3-5 mm long; pollen is white. 2. Pistil: Stigma 4 mm in length and 0.2 to 0.3 mm in diameter, white in color; style is green and 1 mm in diameter and length.

G. Disease resistance.--Festival has not been shown to be sensitive to botrytis or other common diseases. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of gypsophila plant named Festival, as illustrated and described. 